Tussilago farfara: Coltsfoot – Early Spring Bloomer and Herbal Remedy

Tussilago farfara – Coltsfoot, Butterbur, Coughwort

Tussilago farfara, known as Coltsfoot, is a perennial herb famous for its early spring flowers that appear before the leaves – bright yellow, dandelion-like blooms on scaly stems pushing through cold soil. The large, hoof-shaped leaves emerge later, forming a spreading colony. Historically used in herbal medicine for coughs (hence "coughwort"), it is now often considered a weed but has ecological value as an early nectar source for bees.

Coltsfoot thrives in moist, clayey soils in full sun to part shade, often colonizing disturbed ground, stream banks, and roadsides. It spreads aggressively by rhizomes and can be difficult to eradicate. While not typically planted ornamentally, it is a fascinating early-season plant with a long history of medicinal use. If cultivated, give it a contained area to prevent unwanted spread.

Plant Profile